Facsimile telegraph system



Nov. 31) 1926;

P. M. RAINEY FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM- Filed July '20, .1921

" '8, is a reflector or mirror 9.

Patented Nov. so, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL M. RAINEY, OF GLEN RIDGE, NEW J ERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC 4 COMPANY, INOORPOBATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

Application fllcd July 20,

This invention relates to a system for transmitting facsimiles by means of electri-- cal impulses.

, An object of this invention is to provide means whereby facsimiles of pictures, draw ings or the like may be transmitted by means of code combinations or permutations of electrical impulses.

Another object is to provide means wherem by facsimiles of pictures and the like may be transmitted over systems which operate either intermittently or synchronously;

Another object is to provide. a system which is etiicient and reliable.

A system of this kind has the following advantages:

,Th'e facsimile apparatus may be connected to existing telegraph transmitting and re- (eiving apparatus without materially altering the. telegraph equipment. i

The electrical impulses representing the facsimiles may be passed through a tele graphrepeater, the same as regular telegraph signals, without necessitating any change or adjustment of the repeater.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing where in the facsimile transmitting and receiving mechanism is associated with a multiplex 3o synchronous telegraph system.

minate a predetermined area of a negative or transparency 2 of the facsimile to be transmitted. A lens 3 which converges the diverging rays 10 emanating from the light 1 and a stop 4 which restricts the area of exposure of the transparency, are interposed between the source of light 1 and the-transparency 2. A light sensitive Bell 5 connected in series with 'a' battery 6, nd a galvanometer, coil 7 is arranged to} acted upon by the rays .of light passin through the transparency. The light sensitive cell 5 may consist of of being a very poor conductor of electricity in the dark and a good conductor of electricity in the light, although other means may e employed. I

Mountedon the galvanometer coil7, which v is located between the poles of the magnet The coil 7 is so mounted that it may be deflected when inclusive,

inclusive, which are connected to the mega- A source of light 1, is provided to illu V a selenium cell which has the pecularities 1921. Serial No. 486,247.

ried.

- A second source of light 11 provided which projects a beam or ray of light '12 through a stop 13 to the reflector or mirror 9. This beam of light is reflected, and-as the mirror is turned or rotated, the reflected W ray of light will strike a predetermined one or number of a plurality of light sensitive cells l4, 15, 16, 17, etc., such as selenium cells. One terminal of each cell is grounded at 20,

and the other terminals are connected to relays 21 to 26 respectively; the other terminals of the relays being connected to grounded battery .27. Cooperating with the relays 21 to 26 inclusive, are armatures 29 to 37 inclusive-which are connected to segments 59 7 to 63 inclusive, of a distributor 64 through the circuits 76 to inclusive. When the apparatus is at rest, the armatures 29 to 37 engage contact points 38 to 46 tive poleof battery; 57 which is grounded at 58. Contact points 47 to 55 inclusive, connected to the positive pole of battery .56 which is also grounded at 58, are provided and these are so located that upon energi,

zation of a relay, the relay'armature may be drawn into contact with the contact points withwhich itis associated.

Only six light-sensitive cells .14 to '19 inclusive, and sixrelays 21 to 26' inclusive, 5 with their cooperating armatures are shown. It will be understood that any number of cells and relays may be used depending upon the'code employed. For example, in employing a five' unit code as herein disclosed, a total of 32 cells and 32 relays may be used. The number of cells and relays employed would obviously depend upon the accuracy or gradations desired of the fac simile to be reproduced.

The distributor 64 consists of two rings 70 and 71, a plurality of segments 59, 60, 61, etc., and a rotating arm 69 on which are v inountedtwo brushes 67 and 68. The ring 7O is grounded at 66 and ring 71 is con- 1 nected'to line 72. Brush 67 on the arm 69 makes contact between the segment 65 and ring 70 once during each revolution. I

- In the embodiment shown, the distributor arm 69 is rotated at a definite predetermined .9 speed, and the distributor arm at the receiving station is maintained in synchronism with the sending distributor by any of the well known synchronizin means, such, for example, as disclosed in aineyPatent No. 1,292,048 of January 21, 1919. However,

the invention also contemplates the employment of start-stop distributing systems such as disclosed in Rainey-Dowd Patent No. 1,378,978, May 24, 1921. q

Mechanism for advancing the transparency step-by-step is shown diagrammatically at 73. This mechanism may be similar to the-character feed and line feed mechanism employed in a receiving printer, which is well known in the art; It is necessar that themechanism 73 be arranged. to a Vance the transparency a predetermined amount,

for example, one step-for the transmission of impulses representing each predetermined area of the transparency. Ihe stepping mechanism may be actuated eachtime the brush 67 engages segment 65 of the distributor to complete a circuit from grounded battery 74 to the mechanism 73. e

The distance the transparency 2 is moved each time may be varied, dependin upon the desired shade or accuracy of tie fee-- simile. Half-tone pictures are often taken through screens as coarseas per inch. In such a case each step or movement of the transparency 2 'would be one fortieth of an inch. Assuming this scheme working on one'chan'nel of aquadruplemultiplex systern which operates at fifty words per min,-

ute, it would require 5 and A minutes to reof one square inch.

produce a picture 72 is connected to a polar- Line conductor ized relay 81which is grounded at 82, and

i provided with an armature 83, which is con 4 nected through battery 84 to ground at 85.

As armature 83 isoperated by the relay 81, itserves to make and break contact between distributor 86 and battery 84;. Distributor 86 consists of two rings .87 and 88, a number of segments such as 89 to 93 inclusive,

located in the path of the brush v 94 mounted I on the rotating arm 95', and 'se ments 96,

97 and 98 which are locatedv in t e path of the brush 99 alsomounted ontherotatin arm 95. The ring 88- is grounded at .1 00 and ring 87 isconnected to contact point 101. The arm isrotated in synchronism with] arm 69 of distributor 64. r The segments 93 to 89 inclusive, are connected to the windings of relays 102 to,106'

inclusive and corresponding armatures v107 to 111 inclusive. The other terminals of'the relays 102 to 106 inclusive, are connected to. the .arma'ture112' of relay 113, which-is connected in se rie T with segment 98 of the distributor 86 and grounded at 115. 'A back contact-1160f relay 113 is grounded at 117 and is normally closed. Cooperating-with armatures 107 to 5 111 inclusive, are contacts 118 t 122 inclu- 'of the receiving 1e operation-of the system is as follows: I Rays of light from the source of light 1 ilcertain definite battery 114, which is- The armatures which is connected to ground at 129. The

resistance sections to 134 inclusive, may 7 be used singly or may be connected in Various combinations; to control the amount of light emitted by the'lamp 125 and consequently the amount transmitted to the semi tized plate 148. Y

Armatures 135 to 139 inclusive, and corresponding contacts 140 to 144 inclusive, are

normally disengaged, but upon energization of the respective relays102 to 106, the armatures and cooperating contacts areconnected in circuit with the difl'erent resistance'sections 130 to, 134.

Segment 96 of distributor 86 is connected to a feedingmechanisrn 145 which is similar to and is operated in unison with the corresponding mechanism 73 at the transmitting station, that is, the mechanism- 145 serves to advance the sensitized plate 148 in unisonwith the transparency 2. A stop-149 is arranged infront of the plate 148 and a shutter 150.- controlled by the armature 154 of amagnet 151 isprovided to control anaperture in the stop 149 through which rays of light pass to the sensitized plate 148. The magnet 151 is connected in series with grounded battery 152 and local segment 97 T1 distributor.

luminate a predetermined area of the transarency 2 and a certain amount of the light asses through the 'transparencyto the light sensitive cell 5. :This'changes theresistance of the cell change to a certain value, depending upon theamount 'of light passing through the transparency 2. The change of current 5 which-causes the current to causes the galvanometer coil to deflect to a pro of or more of the light inclusive.

ected upon t e-mirror 9 .from the source ightll is reflected and falls upon one iensitivecells 14 to 19 sistanc of cell 16 is decreased, and sulficient' current flows from battery 27 through relay .23, cell1 6 and toground at 20 to cause relay 23 to operate armatures-'32 and 33 to engage contact points 50 and 51 respectively.

After this operation segments 59, 61 and 63 are connected to the negative pole of battery 57 and segments60 and 62 are connectedt'o osition. A pencil of light Suppose the light to fall upon .cell 16 as shown in the diagram, then the reup a. certain combination of circuits in conover the line.

junction with the transmitting apparatus and as arm 69 rotates, it connects the segments in turn to the ring 71 which is connected to line 72. Thus certain impulses are sent over the line. I After the rotating arm 69 has passed over segment 63 it brings brush 67 into contact with segment and completes a circuit from battery 74, through the transparency feeding device 73. V This moves the transparency one step which may alter the amount of light passing through the transparency 2. If the amount of light passing through the transparency is changed,

the'current 1n the galvanometer coil is also changed and the mirror ,takes up a new position which controls the setting up of a new combination of circuits in conjunction with the distributor.

The impulses sent over line 72 energize the relay 81 which operates armature 83 to control the energizin circuits of relays 102 to 106 inclusive. Ta (e for example, the combination set up when the light sensitive cell 16 is illuminated so as to operate relay 23, then segments 59, 61 and 63-are connected to the negative terminal of the battery 57 and segments 60 and 62 are connected to the positive terminal of battery 56. Therefore as arm 69 rotates and brush 68 comes in contact with segment 59, a negative impulse, which operates relay 81 to break the circuit through distributor 86, is sent When the brush 68 contacts with segment 60 a positive impulse is sent over the line and it operates relay 81 which completes the circuit of the distributor '86 and as arm 95 rotates in synchronism with arm 69 of the distributor 64, brush 94 connects segment 90 toring 87 and thus relay 105 is operated. For the particular combination of circuits set up in conjunction with distributor 64, one other positive impulse is sent over the line and-operates relay 103.

The operation of relays 105 and 103 makes contact between armature 136 and contact 141 and armature 138 and contact 143. This shunts the resistance sections 131 and 133 and reduces theresistance of the lamp circuit and consequently increases the intensity of the light. The relays 105 and 103 also make contact between armature 110 and con- ,tact 121 and armature 108 and contact 119' which completes a circuit from battery 123 through relays 105 and 103 in parallel and armature 112 to ground at 117. This retains arnlatures 136 138. 110'and 108 in engagement with contact points 141, 143, 121 and 119 respectively, until the relay circuit including battery 123 is broken by the operation of relay 113. The relays 1Q2'to 106 and theresistance sections 130 to 134 make it possible to obtain thirty-two different degrees of light.

the circuit of magnet 151, which attracts the armature 154 and opens shutter 150 for an instant, exposing the sensitive plate 148 to the rays of light from lamp 125.-- Then brush 99 comes in contact with segment 96. and completes the circuit of the receiving plate moving apparatus 145 which moves the sensitized plate 148 one step. i The next circuit established is when brush 99 comes in contact with segment 98 when the circuit of relay 113 is completed and armature 112 is operated to break the relay circuit which includes battery 123, relays 105 and 103 in parallel, armature 112and ground connection 117. This releases armatures 136, 138, 110 and 108 which return to normal and the lamp circuit 125 with all the resistance sections 130 to 134 inclusive, in series is re- 7 established.

The transparency 2 has been moved one step and if the density of the second area illuminated is different from the density of the first area the amount of light falling electricity which comprises transmitting a code combination of electrical'impulses for each elemental area of the.picture,-utilizing said combinations to correspondingly vary the intensity of a light beam, and causing said beam to reproduce the picture on a sensitized form at a distant station.

, 2. The method of transmitting pictures by electricity which comprises transmitting a predetermined code combination of electrical impulses for each elemental area of the picture, and translating said impulses into variations of a beam of light to reproduce the picture transmitted;

3. A system for transmitting facsimiles,

an image of the facsimile to be transmitted, means controlled by said image to transmit code combinations of electrical impulses representing each elemental tone value of the picture, a light beam, and receiving means responsive to said code combinationsto vary the intens ty of said beam for reproducing a likeness of said lmage.

4. A system for transmitting facsimiles of pictures by combinations of electrical impulses representing each elemental tone value of the picture tomprising transmitting and distributing apparatus, a-transparency through said transparency, means responsive to said last mentioned means whereby predetermined combinations of impulses of uniform length are transimtted according to the density of the transparency, a source of light, and means responsive to said combinations of 'im )ulses for varying the intensity of the 11g t from-said source.

system for transmitting facsimiles- COIIIPIISIIIg a telegraph system includingtransmitting and receiving apparatus, a transparency of the lmage tobe transmitted,

means controlled by said transparency to operate the transmitting apparatus to send combinations of impulses asdetermined by the density of each elemental aleaiof the transparency, an element. with a photosensitive-surface, and means operated by said receiving apparatus to produce a single exposure of said surface foreach combination of impulses transmitted.

7. A comprising "a multiplex telegraph system includingrdistributors, transmitting and receiving apparatus,'a line circuit, alightfor illuminating successive areas of the picture being transmitted, means for operating said transmitting apparatus to set up predetermined combinations of electric circuits to send combinations of impulses over said line for each elemental areaof the transparency, said means being controlled by the intensity of the light from the picture, means for receiving said impulses, means for using said im ulses to vary the intensity of a beam of lig 1t, and a sensitive plate on successive areas of which said varying ight is projectedp r f 8. In'- combination" with'tra smittin and receiving apparatus, a line circuit, means for transmitting pictures comprising a transparency of the icture to be transmitted, means for illuminating successive areas of said transparency, means depending upon the intensity of the light passing through the successive areas-of said transparency to operate the. transmitting apparatus to send combinations of impulses over said line for each elemental area" of the transparency,

meansf'for receiving said impulses, a source ofllght and means depending upon sa d imand repro- V ystem for transmitting pictures.

' ules s for varying the intensity of the'light rom said source, a sensitive plate and means for concentrating therays from said light of varying'intensity upon successive areas of said sensitive plate. to reproduce a picture on said transparenc 9. A svstem for transmitting pictures, in-

eluding transmitting and receiving apparatus, a. transparency of the picture to be transmitted, means for moving said transparency over a predetermined path, a source of light for illuminating successive sections of. said transparency, a circuit including a light sensitive cell, a battery and a ga1vanometer coil on which is mounted a mirror,

said cell being "so located that the rays of light passing through said transparency fall upon it to vary the current in the circuit as the intensity of the lightfalling upon the cell varies said mirror being deflected as the current varies, a source of light to illuminate said mirror, a plurality of light sensitive cells located in the path of the rays reflected from said mirror, transmitting apparatus operated by the increase: in current due to the illumination of one of said plurality of light sensitive cells to send impulses over said line, receiving apparatus to receive said impulses, a source of light,

the intensity of which is varied through said receiving apparatus by said impulses, and a light sensitive surface illuminated by said light to .record the effect of said impulses.

10. A system for transmitting and repro ducing facsimiles comprising transmitting and receiving'distributing apparatus, a line circuit connecting said apparatus, a transparency of the imageto be transmitted, means for moving said transparency at reg-, ular predetermined intervals, a source or light for illuminating 'successive sections o-l" said'transparency, a light sensitive cell rcsponsive to light emitted through said,-

transparency, *a circuit for said cell, means included in said circuit and responsive to variations of current therein for determining theacombinations of impulses to be transmitted for .each elemental area, a ,receiving apparatus to receive said impulses, a source of light associated with said receiving apparatus the intensity of which is controlled y said impulses, and a sensitlzed plate illuminated by said light to record the effects of said impulses.

11. In a system for transmitting pictures.

a line, transmitting apparatus at one end of lit the line for transmitting code combinations I of impulses in accordance with ditferent'densities of the transparency of a picture to be transmitted, receiving means at the other end of said line comprisin a sensitive plate, a source of light, a plura ity of relays controlling the intensity of said light, and a distributor for distributing to said relays code combinations of impulses transmitted to reproduce the picture on said sensitive plate.

12. In a system for transmitting pictures, a line, a transmitting apparatus connected at one end of said line comprising a plurality offlight sensitive devices controlled by light rays passingthrou'gh the transparency of a picture to be transmitted, a plurality of relays operated in accordance with the operation of the associatedlight sensitive devices, a distributor for transmitting over saidlline impulses in accordance with the operation of said relay, and recording means at the opposite end of said line for reproducing the iniage thus transmitted.

13. In a system for transmitting pictures a line, transmitting apparatus at one end ofv said line comprising a plurality of light sensitive devices, a source of light, an electroresponsive device .defiected in accordance with the intensity of a light source passing through the transparency of the picture for controlling the application of said source of light to the light sensitive devices, a plurality of relays controlled by the light sensitive devices. and a distributor for transmitting over said line code combinations of impulses as determined by the operation of said re-- lays, and recording means at the opposite end of said line for reproducing the image thus transmitted.

14. The method of transmitting a picture by electricity which comprises automatically transmitting a code combination of electrical impulses for each elemental area of the picture, the impulses in each combination being equal in number and automatically permuted to indicate the tone value of the corresponding elemental area of the picture recording said'permuted combination, and varying the 15. In a system of telephotograph means for ,making tests of successive e ementail areas of a picture, light sensitive means responsive to said tests, means for producing combinations of impulses, each combination consisting of an equal number of elements of equal duration, means controlled by said light responsive means to permute the elements in each combination in accordance with the degree of tone value (if elemental areas tested, means for recording said permuted combinations, an element with a pho tosensitive surface, means for exposing said surface in successive areas, the degree of exposure of each area being determined by the corresponding record on said recording means.

16. In a system of telephotography, an image of the picture to be transmitted,-means controlled by said image for transmitting a. combination of current elements for each elemental area of said image, each combination comprising an equal number of elements permuted in accordance with the tonevalue ofthe corresponding elemental area, means for recording said permuted combmations,

an element with a photosensitive surface, means controlled by said recording means for exposing said surface to light'var'ying in intensitynin accordance with successive combinations recorded on said recording means. In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this thirteenth day of July A. D., 1921.

' PAUL M. RAINEY, 

